Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

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Latest episodes

• Does Drumcree spell the end for William Ulsterman?

  October 8, 2026 · 43 min

  Drumcree is now a peace dividend. Where once the attempt to march led to violence, destruction and death, now it leads to court wranglings, endless negotiations and the support for the Garvaghy Road residents from Noel Gallagher. On Free…

• Will Garvaghy Road lead to a United Ireland?

  October 6, 2026 · 49 min

  Thousands gathered on Garvaghy Road determined that there would be no going back. A new generation, confident and assured, are determined that the north chooses a different road. But what is it about a parade of elderly orange men that…

• 'I was annoyed for a long time about how a lot of Southerners other Northerners'

  October 3, 2026 · 43 min

  Louise Kennedy's first novel Trespasses was a beautiful and heartbreaking story of the Troubles. In her new novel Stations she deals with the loss and sacrifice of emigration. Louise talks to Dion about moving from the north to Naas when…

• Nasty F****r. The obsession of Peter O’Mahony

  October 1, 2026 · 54 min

  In November 2023, Peter O’Mahony sat down for a meeting with his coach at Munster Graham Rowntree where the reality of a professional sportsman’s life became brutally clear. On that same day, Peter and Dion met for the first time to begin…

• Ireland’s Shame? From Bazunu to Drumcree

  September 29, 2026 · 38 min

  In Drumcree and in Debrecen, we were forced to consider different Irelands last weekend. The determination of the Orange Order to parade down Garvaghy Road brought back memories for so many of the dark days in the north. But does it really…

• Jon Ronson on the manosphere and saving Ulster from sodomy with Ian Paisley

  September 26, 2026 · 36 min

  Jon Ronson joins Dion on today's Free State to talk about the manosphere, his time with Ian Paisley and his new book, The Castle. Learn more about Jon's new book here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455289/the-castle-b…

• Why are Ireland playing against genocide (Israel)?

  September 24, 2026 · 39 min

  ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.’ With these words, Irelqnd’s manager Heimir Hallgrimsson tried to rally support for his players before they play…

• ‘Yabba-dabba-do, any taig will do’ : The true story of Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair

  September 22, 2026 · 54 min

  ‘Three things come with taking a man’s life. The first one is the easy bit – going into a room and shooting somebody… The second is preparing yourself if you get caught coming or going and getting life in prison – could you do it? And the…